Interpretation of the Sedimentary Environments of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11322, Western Rhode Island Sound (H11322ENVIRONS, Geographic)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is working cooperatively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to interpret the surficial geology in estuaries along the coast of the northeastern United States. The purpose of our present study is to define the sea floor morphology and sedimentary environments in an area of Rhode Island Sound using sidescan-sonar and bathymetric data collected onboard the NOAA Ship RUDE, as well as historic seismic records. The mosaic, bathymetry, and their interpretations serve many purposes, including: (1) defining the geological variability of the sea floor, which is one of the primary controls of benthic habitat diversity; (2) improving our understanding of the processes that control the distribution and transport of bottom sediments and the distribution of benthic habitats and associated infaunal community structures; and (3) providing a detailed framework for future research, monitoring, and management activities. The sidescan-sonar mosaics and bathymetry images also serve as base maps for subsequent sedimentological, geochemical, and biological observations, because precise information on environmental setting is important for selection of sampling sites and for accurate interpretations of point measurements.

美国地质调查局（U.S. Geological Survey, USGS）正与美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA）携手合作，对美国东北海岸沿线河口的表层地质开展解译工作。本研究旨在依托NOAA“鲁德号”科考船采集的侧扫声呐（sidescan-sonar）数据与水深地形数据，并结合历史地震记录，明确罗德岛海峡（Rhode Island Sound）某区域的海底地貌与沉积环境。本次生成的侧扫声呐马赛克图、水深地形数据及其解译成果可服务于多项目标：（1）刻画海底地质变异特征，该特征是调控底栖生境多样性的核心控制因素之一；（2）深化对控制底沉积物分布与输运过程、底栖生境分布及相关底内群落结构的认知；（3）为后续研究、监测与管理活动提供精细化的研究框架。侧扫声呐马赛克图与水深地形影像还可作为后续沉积学、地球化学与生物学观测的底图基础，这是由于环境背景的精准信息对于采样点位遴选以及点位测量结果的准确解译均具有重要意义。